Former Boston Whaler Guru

[Tottally Tuna]

Years ago, a friend of mine told me that the then Boston Whaler CEO was leaving to start his own boat company. I can't remember what company he started, b ut supposedly the boats where of similar quality, but a much lower price tag. Does anyone here know the name of those boats. It seems that this transpired late 80's to early 90's. For some reason Wahoo, or Key West boats come to mind, but I really can't remember.

 

[JB]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Bob Dougherty, who designed the generation of Boston Whalers from early '70s to around 1990 left to start his own company.

The boats are the Edgewaters. Great boats easily recognizable because of the trademark Dougherty "smirk" at the bow. Not cheap boats.

He later left Edgewater to start a third company, but I can't at the moment think of the name. Probably very good boats and probably not cheap.

I have owned 5 Dougherty designed Boston Whalers and one pre-Dougherty Whaler. My current one, RED SKY, a Striper 15, is a really great 15' boat. I don't think any maker has devoted so much effort into making so small a fisherman a high quality, yacht-grade boat.

 

[paulmiller_98]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Is this the same guy who started Wahoo?

 

[JB]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Pretty sure Wahoos were around before then, Paul. I can't confirm it, but the name Everglades keeps popping up in my head.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

JB, I always thought those classic Whalers were very hard riding, and rode fairly wet.

On a related subject, my neighbor and a late model (2008?) 27' Outrage. It is the hardest-riding boat I have ever been in. When you hit a modest wave, it will buckle your knees. It also has low sides so you feel as though you will fall out as he drives it at 52MPH.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Yep Everglades made in Egdewater Fl.

They make a foam plug and then make the boat around it kind of like a surf board.

Real, real nice boats.... very expensive.

The new center console has a power front window!

 

[JB]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

JB, I always thought those classic Whalers were very hard riding, and rode fairly wet.

On a related subject, my neighbor and a late model (2008?) 27' Outrage. It is the hardest-riding boat I have ever been in. When you hit a modest wave, it will buckle your knees. It also has low sides so you feel as though you will fall out as he drives it at 52MPH.

Some people don't know how to pilot a Whaler. Also, Whalers are fishing boats, not speedboats, so the stability and low freeboard are advantageous. Nobody trolls at 52mph.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

http://evergladesboats.net/company/legend.php

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Gee JB, so you troll to your fishing spot? You sure have patience. Our fishing spots are 10+ miles away. Trolling to them would take all day.

While I admit the owner/driver is not the best, the boat sure does ride hard. A friend of mine was holding onto the SS rail behind the leaning post when we hit a modest wave at planing speed. The force was enough to buckle both his arms slamming his chest into the rail. I never seen that happen before in 40+ years of boating, and I have driven and owned some high speed boats.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

I've had a couple of whalers over the years (the 16 classic being maybe my favorite boat of all time)....and they do ride a little hard (and wet) if you're pushing things. Slow down and it isn't quite as bad, but it was by no means a comfortable ride.

That said.....I took my 16 whaler to places and in conditions I'd NEVER take my 26' deep v hull to, even though it rides like a Cadillac in comparison. Yes, I was younger (and dumber) then, but I'm convinced the "unsinkable marvel" got us home in conditions that would have sunk a lesser vessel. I don't have as much personal experience with the newer models so can't speak to them, but I always felt those old whalers would take anything I could throw at them and then some. I came home bruised sometimes but never scared.

Give me safety over comfort any day. Unfortunately my wife doesn't agree.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

well said, emil

 

[JB]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Gee JB, so you troll to your fishing spot? You sure have patience. Our fishing spots are 10+ miles away. Trolling to them would take all day.

I go distances and at speeds that fit the conditions of the time. I fished the Gulf Stream for hundreds of hours, crossed to Bimini twice, etc,etc. When "offroading" in semivertical water I drive my Whaler of the day as though I were really off road.

Piloting with indifference to conditions will get your kidneys up between your shoulderblades pretty quickly, but you can bury your bow in green water and drive her dry with no worries. I will take a Dougherty designed classic Whaler over any other 13-18' boat on the planet.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Gee, I was just teasing you, as your answer was flippant.

 

[JB]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

I yield to a more expert teaser.

 

[Old & In the way]

Re: Former Boston Whaler Guru

Lots of great Whaler information here:

www.continuouswave.com/whaler/

history, hull designs by year, best ride, dry v.s. wet rides, and on an on...